Birmingham City were unable to finish their season with a flourish as they had to make do with a draw in the St Andrew’s sunshine.

Ravel Morrison fired dominant Blues into the lead just before half-time, but Lee Clark’s men couldn’t turn their superiority into further goals and Jordan Rhodes popped up with a second-half equaliser for Rovers.

The result meant that Blues finished in 12th place in the Championship, exactly mid-table.

Afterwards, the ‘lap of appreciation’ – fittingly led by retiring Carling Cup-winning captain Stephen Carr – was well received.

The many Blues fans who stayed behind were warm with their applause, reflecting on what has been a rollercoaster campaign.

And with a major turnover in players certain, there was an air of goodbye around the ground.

Jack Butland was last off the pitch after doing an interview over the PA, giving his thanks before he takes off to Stoke City, and Morrison lobbed the matchball into the crowd.

It was a shame that Blues couldn’t finish with a victory, and Lee Clark was disappointed with his side’s performance after the break.

Blues were the dominant side from the off, starting brightly and purposefully.

They overdid it a little early on, but then become progressively more threatening, culminating with a deserved 42nd minute goal from Morrison.

From the moment the recalled Morgaro Gomis left fly from 25 yards and the ball just whistled past the post, you sensed there was a determination about Blues to go out in style.

Nathan Redmond was once more a livewire and with Chris Burke on the other flank, Blues asked plenty of questions of the visitors.

But they did have Butland to thank with the scores level after an underhit backpass by Paul Caddis gave Rhodes a sniff.

Butland came quickly from his line, spread himself at Rhodes’ feet and got a hand on the ball to knock it away.

From then on, Blues increased their attacks and Redmond brought a decent save out of Greg Sandomierski with a dipping 25-yarder.

Burke also fired wide and Caddis tried to set up Burke inside the penalty area from a raking pass by Shane Ferguson when he should have let fly himself.

Blackburn’s defence had massed well when they had to, but Blues kept on knocking at the door and gained their reward as the half came to a close.

Gomis played a short pass near the left edge of the penalty area to Morrison and, showing lovely quick feet and offering a couple of stepovers to backpedalling defenders, he suddenly got a good shot off.

The ball zipped at an angle into the bottom corner with Sandomierski caught by surprise and Blues were on their way.

The Tilton Road End sang ‘sign him up’, and there is no doubt that the loanee from West Ham United has blossomed during his season at St Andrew’s – and has enjoyed himself.

In the opening 15 minutes of the second-half, Blues played some really good stuff. Their short, sharp passing game kept Blackburn in check and there were nice angles worked all over the park.

It seemed likely that they would go on and, if not score again, at least secure all three points.

But they needed something to show for their dominance and unfortunately Blackburn made them pay with an equaliser from a set-piece routine in the 66th minute.

A long throw from the left was flicked on by Scott Dann and David Jones rose high on the burst, forcing Butland into a reaction save from his downward header.

The ball spun up perfectly for Rhodes to nod into the unguarded net for his 30th goal of the campaign.

Jones had a minute earlier hit the crossbar from a wicked free-kick whipped in from the right (Butland tipped it on, but no corner was given).

The leveller lifted Blackburn to greater effort and Blues were also spurred to try and recover their grasp on proceedings.

Gomis came off injured and Blues lost territory in the middle. The match was in the balance. Gomis’ replacement Callum Reilly fired straight at Sandomierski as Blues came again during the finale.

And he was then denied when darting into the penalty area by a crunching John O’Sullivan tackle.

There were other moments of panic for Blackburn but also it took a tremendous block by Paul Robinson at the death when Cameron Stewart fired goalward to make sure Blues didn’t stumble again.

It some ways it was fitting that Blues were held at St Andrew’s and didn’t go on and press their advantage when things looked good.

It has been at home where they have found it most problematic this season, much to Clark’s frustration.